Bangkok Airport Update
November 26, 2008 - For updated news on the current closure of Bangkok airport, please check the news section of this site >>
The problems with the runways at the new Suvarnabhumi airport aren’t as bad as initial reports suggest. Structural surveys of Tarmac cracks indicate that the airport will only have to undergo partial closure of certain areas as repairs are undertaken. There has been huge amounts of flip-flopping and political shenanigans involved in the whole affair and it has not helped a country which relies heavily on the tourist industry.
The following information is offered as a general guide to try and help matters if (like many of us) you are confused by the whole scenario. Links are provided below for the relevant airlines. Please check their current policy before travel as there has already been a lot of backtracking on decisions.
Don Muang Airport
Don Muang will reopen for domestic flights. In time, international flights may resume here, but the latest decision is that it will serve domestic flights only for the time being. At present, low-cost airlines One-Two-Go and Nok Air have indicated their operations will revert to Don Muang. Thai Airways International hint that some of their domestic flights with non-international connections may move back to the old airport. This would suggest Thai Airways destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi will remain at Suvarnabhumi airport. It is expected that Don Muang will be fit to reopen by the end of March 2007, but no date has yet been given for the actual reopening.
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi airport will remain as the hub for international arrivals and departures. Low cost airline Air Asia are particularly upset by the whole affair, but have indicated they will, after all, remain at the new airport. Thai Airways will probably use the airport for flights to the most popular tourist destinations of Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai.
Bangkok Airport Codes
Airport codes; Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Muang (DMK)
Summary
All international arrivals and departures = Suvarnabhumi
Air Asia = Suvarnabhumi
Bangkok Airways = Suvarnabhumi
Nok Air = Don Muang
One-Two-Go = Don Muang
*Thai Airways = Suvarnabhumi (e.g. flights to Chiang Mai, Krabi and Phuket) but Don Muang for other domestic destinations (e.g. Udon Thani, Hat Yai etc.)
Tiger Airways = Suvarnabhumi
*Update for Thai Airways: Please be aware that Thai Airways will operate flights to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Krabi from both airports. Flights from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) will have a a 3 digit code e.g. TG123 and flights from Don Muang (DMK) will have a 4 digit code e.g. TG1234.
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